Enjoy holiday season with Zoo Miami’s family events

By Cindy Castelblanco….This holiday season at Zoo Miami means a wide variety of exciting and fun activities for the entire family.

Guests can enjoy beautiful animal-shaped lights as they stroll zoo walkways during the 12 nights of Zoo Lights, have Dinner with Santa, delight during Dinner with Diego, and watch the animals open their specially prepared gifts during Holiday Gifts for the Animals.

The zoo’s glorious grounds come to light for 12 brilliant nights during Zoo Lights, Dec. 17-30 (excluding Dec. 24 and 25) from 7 to 10 p.m. (ticket booths close at 9:30 p.m.). Guests can enjoy dozens of bright animal-shaped lights along the walkways, while sipping hot chocolate, munching on delicious cookies, and listening to wonderful holiday music. Included with admission is a pair of 3D glasses, which will make the Zoo Lights experience even more engaging and amusing.

General admission is $8.95 plus tax per adult and $6.95 plus tax per child. Zoo members are $7.95 plus tax per adult and $5.95 plus tax per child.

Dinner with Santa will take place on Dec. 23, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bring the kids to meet him before he has to rush back to the North Pole! Eat a delicious dinner with the family at Wings of Asia and enjoy the site of diving ducks, fish and turtles. Children receive a holiday plush gift and will get to make their own holiday ornaments. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take lots of pictures with Santa.

General admission is $42.95 per adult and $39.95 per child ages 3-12. Zoo members are $38.95 per adult and $36.95 per child ages 3-12. Children ages 2 and under are free.

Dinner with Diego will be on Dec. 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at the Wings of Asia building. Diego will be available to take his picture with guests between 8:30 and 8:50 p.m. Dinner with Diego’s admission includes parking, entry to Zoo Lights with unlimited carousel rides from 7 to 10 p.m. and a wonderful dinner including a fresh garden salad with dressing, pan seared chicken breast with herbed shallot cream sauce, chicken tenders with dipping sauce, honey glazed carrots, macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls with butter, chocolate fudge brownies, chocolate blondies, fresh tropical fruit salad, cucumber and lemon infused water, lemonade, and iced tea.

This event is ideal for families with children under eight years of age. Every paying child also receives a Diego Beanie Baby plush gift plus a meet and greet and photo with Diego. General admission is $39.95 per adult and $43.95 per child ages 3-12. Zoo members are $35.95 per adult and $38.95 per child ages 3-12. Children ages 2 and under are free.

Another fun family activity is Holiday Gifts for the Animals. Every weekend in December, including Christmas Day, watch the animals joyfully open holiday gifts prepared by zookeepers and volunteers. The animals enjoy opening up their enriching gifts and you’ll be entertained watching them.

Zoo Miami is located at 12400 SW 152 St. General zoo admission is $15.95 per adult and $11.95 per child (3-12) plus tax. Children under 3, Zoo members and parking are free. Zoo Lights, Dinner with Diego and Dinner with Santa have separate admission prices. Save money and time by buying your tickets online at www.zoomiami.org. Zoo Miami’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; ticket booths close at 4 p.m.